In Defense of Valentine’s Day

Yesterday, I read this post by Alex on why she doesn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day, and honestly, I get it. I worked at Hallmark in high school, so I definitely get the idea that it’s just a commercial holiday. I even kind of agree with that sentiment. Here’s the thing though – I still love to celebrate it.

For the record, I enjoyed celebrating it even when I was single. Of course it’s a little more fun now that TJ’s in my life, but as single Ashley, I never hated February 14th. Now, I don’t like going all out, or making a huge deal out of it, but I love doing something a little extra for the people I love one day a year (because, yes, love is about showing how much you care every day). I’m not trying to convert any Valentine’s Day haters out there, but here are 5 reasons I’ll continue to celebrate the most commercial holiday ever for the rest of my life.

1. I love any excuse to celebrate thingsI think small things in life deserve to be celebrated. I’ve even been known to create my own holidays. If there’s a nationally recognized day of celebration, I want to find a way to participate.

2. I love traditionsGuilty as charged. I think it’s so fun to know you can count on something to happen on a given day, years in advance. I only have one tradition for Valentine’s day, but I look forward to it every year. I give TJ 5 small gifts to open, one dedicated to each of the 5 senses. It’s small, but it’s fun to try to get creative as the years go on.

3. I love unifying eventsI am the first to admit that I’m not an overly social person -when people talk about being a social butterfly, my first thought is usually how cozy the cocoon would be. But, for some reason, I love being part of a group that’s all doing the same thing. I just think it’s so comforting to know that strangers all over the country are also celebrating love (or Christmas, or watching the Super Bowl – any unifying event really), even though I’m not interacting with any of them.

4. I love having a day to remind me of how important love isGenerally, I think I’m pretty good about showing love every day, but when there’s a whole day dedicated to love, it’s definitely on the forefront of my mind, and that translates into my relationship. Having a whole day dedicated to reminding the important people in my life that I love them is never a bad thing.

5. I love that it gives me something to look forward to post-footballThis time of year is kind of hard for me. Even though Steelers football has been over for more than a month, football season officially ended on Sunday night, and it won’t come back around again until September. It’s a long seven months until my favorite time of year will be upon us, and Valentine’s Day gives me a little something to look forward to, just a few days after the season ends. For me, a little celebration of love helps to soften the blow of the upcoming longest 7 months of the year.

Where do you stand on Valentine’s Day – overrated greeting card holiday or a fun day to celebrate?

Love this! It makes me sad when I see the anti-Valentine’s Day sentiments all over the Internet. I get that people feel it’s a waste of money, BUT I hardly spend any money on Valentine’s Day.. it’s not necessary. I also love celebrating any and all holidays, and I enjoyed this one long before I had a boyfriend (aka most of my life). Wear a pink/red shirt, eat a little candy, tell the important people in your life that you love them, and just enjoy the day!

I love that it’s another excuse to indulge in cupcakes and candy. 🙂 Great post! I’m not really for it or against it because it’s my birthday so it being “Valentine’s Day” comes second for me. I do something small for Dereck (last year was a 6 pack of Shiner and a heart shaped box of Reese’s – it matched so that was cute too!) and then we go about celebrating it as my birthday. Refreshing to see someone have something positive to say about what is supposed to be a light hearted and fun day!

That’s awesome that you guys celebrate it as your birthday first, and then just do a little something for Valentine’s Day. As much as I like celebrating holidays, birthdays always come first! My husband’s birthday is usually right around Thanksgiving (this year it will fall on Thanksgiving day), so I always try to make sure his day doesn’t get lost in the holiday craziness.

I dislike Valentines Day but for TOTALLY different reasons. I loved it for the same reasons you did. Who doesn’t love an excuse to celebrate something or make new traditions?? But as of 2006, February 14th is a very dark day for me and I’m reminded everyday (I blogged about it today if you’re interested). Despite me hating it, we celebrate. I just oblige to make my husband happy lol. But I love that others still love it!!!!

Melanie, I just read your story – I’m so sorry about everything you’ve had to go through and that Valentine’s Day will always be associated with such bad memories. It’s nice that your husband tries to make the day a little better for you now!

I like Valentine’s Day also and I am not a super romantic person. When I was a teenager, I never received flowers during Valentine’s Day but I think that I saw the day as not only a day of romance but one of showing love to others in your family too. My grandmother would make us a cake or buy us some candy so my associations are equally with family as with romance.

There is nothing wrong with not celebrating Valentine’s Day or disliking the holiday. However some of the reasons given for hating the day could be said about against any holiday. Yes, Valentine’s Day is a made up, commercial holiday but so are most holidays. One reason that I hear often is that the individual can show their loved ones affection any day of the year. That is true. but the same can be said of giving gifts e do on Christmas or birthdays. You can give your loved ones gifts on any day so why have a special day to do so?